Ball lift



A118- 20, 1957 H. c. coNGl-:LLI 2,803,463

BALL LIFT Filed nec. 2. 1952 4 sham-sheet 1 I'.' fi; p//f/ f2 18.

INVENTOR ATYQRNEY j v 7 6.6 4 Y v HENRY C. CONGLLI -V Aug. 20, 1957 H. c. coNGELLx .2,803,463 I BALL LIFT V 'Filed Dec. 2. 1952 I 4 sheets-sheet 3 v FIGA INVENTR H ENRY C. CONGELLI v ATToRNEY Y H. C. CONGELLI BALL LIT 4 sheets-sheet Filed Dec. 2, 1952 www www ww\ www @www www www .0 n Mwww www f l WAN.

nited States Patent C M BALL LIFT Henry C. engelli, Kenmore, N. Y., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporatien of New `Iersey Application December 2, 1952, Serial No. 323,573

7 Claims. (Ci. 273-49) This invention relates to the art of bowling, and more particularly to improved ball lift mechanism for automatically removing balls from the pit of a bowling alley and delivering them to a ball return runway for return to a player at the head of a bowling alley.

In the game of bowling, and more particularly in ten pin bowling, the bowling ball is removed from the pit of an alley after the irst ball of a frame is rolled and is returned to the player. It is evident, therefore, that considerable effort must be expended by a pin boy in lifting a bowling ball from the pit and placing it on the ball return runway for delivery to a player. Over a prolonged period of time when several players are bowling, due to the fact that a ball weighs approximately sixteen pounds and is lifted about four feet in being placed upon the ball return runway, considerable effort and energy are expended by a pin boy in handling the ball.

In accordance with the present invention, it is unnecessary for a pin boy to lift the ball at all. In installations of the device forming the invention where it is used with alleys tended by pin boys, a boy need only push or kick the ball through an opening in the kickback or side plate of the ball lift, whereupon the ball rolls into the ball lift mechanism and is rapidly and positively elevated and delivered onto the ball return runway. The ball lift mechanism embodying the invention is always ready for operation. The entire operation of lifting the ball is eected automatically and when the ball is ejected from the ball lift mechanism, it is propelled along the return runway where it rolls down an inclined portion thereof and is returned by the runway to the player. v

In installations where the ball lift mechanism is used in connection with bowling pin spotting machines, means are provided to automatically deliver each ball into the range of operation of the ball lifting elements which are automatically set into operation to engage and lift the ball automatically.

The mechanism comprising this invention can be used with a single bowling alley, or if desired, with two sideby-side bowling alleys. In the latter case, the ball lifting mechanism is located between the spaced kickbacks of two adjacent alleys so that bowling balls from either alley can be delivered to the ball lift in any suitable manner either manually or mechanically through suitable openings in the kickbacks or by suitable guides into the range of operation of the ball lifting mechanism, and be lifted thereby and delivered to a common ball return runway which serves both alleys.

In general, the novel ball lift constituting the invention consists of a stationary ball guide or track having spaced therefrom a ball engaging and lifting member such as an endless belt travelling over a fixed, preferably continuously rotating driving pulley. The belt also travels over a driven pulley which is mounted in a pivoted bracket so arranged that when ball B rolls onto a treadle coacting with the bracket, a trip is released and the belt is moved into engagement with ball B 'and held in engage- 2,803,463 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 ICC ment therewith in such manner that it rolls ball B upwardly along the track or guide and delivers it to the ball return runway. As ball B moves into position to be delivered from the endless belt onto the ball return runway, mechanism coacting with the belt automatically resets the treadle and the ball lift is thereby readied for the next ball to be lifted from the pit. I

The present invention provides a :simple and ecien't continuously operating ball lift which is always ready `=to return a ball as soon as the latter arrives :on the treadle of the ball lift mechanism. Ths means that as soon as one ball is discharged from the ball lift, the lift is ready to move the next ball upwardly for delivery onto the return runway. In the caseV of an installation where two alleys are located side-by-side with the ball lift located therebetween, this feature is of especial Value since it results in a more rapid return of balls to players, thereby increasing the number of games which can be played on each alley in a given time.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved automatically operated ball lift mechanism for use with one or more bowling alleys.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved ball lift mechanism which can be located in the limited space between the kickbacks of two side-byside bowling alleys, and which is operated automatically as the result of the arrival of a ball into the range of operation of the ball lifting mechanism thereof.

The invention also consists in the provision of a novel ball lift mechanism consisting of an elongated substantially vertical ball track or guide having spaced therefrom an endless belt, preferably continuously driven, running on a driven pulley which is mounted in a pivoted member so arranged that upon the arrival of a ball on a treadle in the ball lift mechanism, the member which supports the driven belt is biased towards the ball, thereby swinging the belt into engagement with the ball in order to effect a resilient gripping action between the belt and the track such that the ball is lifted positively and automatically and delivered onto a ball return runway.

Y In a modified form, the invention also consists in the provision of a fixed driving and relatively lixed driven pulley over which travels an endless belt coacting with a pivoted elongated track or guide member and having associated therewith treadle means whereby a ball rolling onto the treadle means, institutes a movement of the elongated track towards the belt to cause ball B to be gripped between the endless belt and the track and elevated thereby for delivery onto a ball return runway.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be fully described hereinafter, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, party in section of a preferred embodiment of the continuous ball lift embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 isa partial section and elevational View taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of a modified form of continuous ball lift;

Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of another modification of a continuous ball lift embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevational view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of the modified ball llift shown in Figure 3, taken on line 6 6 thereof;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the ball vlift shown in Fig. 4, taken on line 7 7;

Fig. 8 is a partial end elevational view of the rst modified form of ball lift taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 3, illustrating the arrangement of the trip resetting linkage;

and e 1 Fig. 9 is a partial end elevational view of the second modiedform of ball lift, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 4 illustrating the arrangement of the trip resetting'linkagein this ball lift. l Y Y Referring to Figs. l and 2, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ball lift designated generally 10, is provided with a suitable frame 12. In the upper side members of frame 12 are bearings (not shown) which support a continuously driven shaft 14 on which is secured a pulley 16. Running on pulley 16, preferably continuously driven thereby is an endless belt 18, the latter also running over and driving pulley mounted on shaft 22, the ends of which are supported in spaced bearing arms 24. While in the illustrated embodiment, shaft 14 is driven continuously from a suitable Vsource of power, such as a motor VV(not shown), if desired, shaft 14 could be driven intermittently or during the period of time necessary for belt 18 to lift a ball and deliver it onto runway 42. v Each bearing arm 24 is pivotally mounted on a stud 26 held in a bracket 28 Vsecured to the lower portion of frame 12. Bearing arms 24 are rigidly connected to each other by a cross member 30.Y Attached to an extension on each bearing arm 24 is one end of a tension spring 32. The other end of each spring is anchored to a suitable lug 34 on frame member 12.

Ball lift 10, shown in Fig. 2, and also in the modified forms ofthe invention hereinafter described, is adapted to be used with two bowling alleys. In use it is located between the two alleys adjacent the pit. In this way, balls can be ejected from the pit of either alley, either manually or automatically as desired, and be lifted by belt 18 and associated mechanisms of the ball lift and delivered onto return runway 42. In order to make ball lift 10 capable of use with two alleys, in the lower portion of each side of housing 36 there is formed anV opening 38 through which a ball may enter from either of the two alleys. As disclosed in Fig. l, near the top and Vat the front of ball lift 10 is an opening 40 through which ball B is delivered onto return runway 42. .As ball B is delivered, it is given a forward movement by belt 18.

' Bearing arms 24 are connected by rods 44 to a reset member designated generally 45. This member consists of a'pair of spaced arms 46, which straddle belt 18, joined together by a sleeve 48 pivotally supported on horizontal shaft`50. The ends of shaft 50 are journalled in bearing brackets 52 attached to vertical members of frame struc-V ture 12. Rotatably supported in the free upper ends of spaced arms 46 and located behind and normally out of engagement with Vthe active lap of belt 18 and beneath pulley 16, is a horizontal roller 54. VThe operation of reset member 45is described hereinafter. V

The ball B rolling or moving through an opening 38 moves onto a ball receiving plate 56 carried by trip lever 58 pivotally supported on a horizontal stud 60 mounted in bearingY lug 62 attached to a bottom cross member or frame structure 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the portion of lever 58 which rnounts'theV platform 56, rests upon the top end of a substantially vertical coil spring 64 held against lateral movement by suitable ring members 59vand 61Y secured to the bottom of lever 58 and the bottom of frame 12, respectively. Spring 64 tends normally to urge the ball receiving plate portion of lever 58 upwardly, or in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

Y Portion 59 of lever 58 normally is maintained by the pressure of coil spring 64 in engagement with a recess or'step 66 formed in cross member 30 which is attached to bearing arms 24. This arrangement not only maintains platform'56 in a substantially horizontal position, but also keeps bearing arms 2K4 and consequently pulley 20, which are'supported thereby, in a rearward position with, respect to the ball guide track designated generally 67 d although tension springs 32 tend to urge arms 24 forwardly towards track 67.

The rearward position of arms 24 and pulley 20 supported thereby is so arranged that a bowling ball B moving through one of the openings 38 in housing 36, and moving on to plate 56, is not engaged by ball lifting belt 18. However, the weight of ball B moving onto platform 56 results in a compression of spring 64, and a tilting of trip lever 58 which unlatches the end of portion 59 from recess 66 in cross member 39. Because of this and due to the tension of springs 32 on arms 24, arms24 and consequently pulley 2t) and belt 18 are moved forwardly or to the right, as viewed in Fig. l, into the dotted line position, whereupon belt 18 engages ball B. As soon as continuously running belt 18 engages ball B, the latter by virtue of the movement of belt 18, is pressed yieldingly against the ball guide or track 67 and is rolled upwardly between spaced guide rails 68 of track 67, and ejected through opening 48 onto the ball return runway 42. Since upper pulley 16 is supported on fixed rotating shaft 14 and lower pulley 2% through springs 32 imparts pressure uponl ball B, it will be seen that a ball while being rolled upwardly on track 67 between guide rails 68, depresses the active lap of belt 18 between pulleys 16 and 2t) in a manV ner similar to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. As mentioned hereinabove, roller 54 is located behind the upper portion of the active lap of belt 1S. Therefore when ball B, moved by belt 18, forces the active lap of belt 18 rearwardly, it will cause the rear surface of the active lap of belt 18 to engage roller 54, shown in dotted lines in position I and move it rearwardly along with levers 46 of reset member 45 to position II, also shown in Fig. l. This results in a downward movement of rods 44, and hence a counter-clockwise movement of bearing arms 24. Due to the action of coil spring 64, which irnparts an upward movement to the underside of lever 58, as shown in Fig. l, it Will be evident that from the moment a ball is lifted from platform 56 by belt 18, and due to the action of spring 64, lever 58 is moved from the dotted line position to the full line position shown in Fig. l. The

net result of this operation is that as soon as bearing armsV 24 are rocked in the counter-clockwise direction described above, the free end of portion 59 of lever 58 reengages recess 66 in cross member 30, thereby holding platform' 56 in operative position awaiting the arrival of the next ball.

In order to prevent a ball entering from either side of ball lift 10 from bouncing out or rolling from platform 56 and out of ball lift 10 into the other alley, there is provided a pair of ball retaining bars 70, which are operative once a ball is located on platform 56, to prevent this move-` ment laterally out of ball lift 10. The ends of each bar 70 are located in slots or tracks 72 formed in brackets 74 suitably secured to the inside walls of housing 36. AlsoV attached to the ends of each bar are tension springs 76, theother ends of which are anchored to lugs 78 on the inner surface of the side walls of housing 36.

In operation, as a ball moves through one of the openings 38 in housing 36, it engages and depresses the bar 70 adjacent such opening 38 such that ball B can move onto platform 56. As soon as this ball passes over the bar 70. referred to, the latter, becauseV of the action of spring '16,V again returns to its uppermostposition with Vits yends engaging the top of slots 72. Any bouncing action which may be imparted to ball B by bar 70adjacent the opposite opening 38, is arrested or prevented by such bar due to the slightly outward curves at the upper ends of tracks or slots 72 in bracket 74. Bars 70 also centralize a ball relative to belt 18. VIn addition to this,"each bar 7) also may have a slightly outward curveas Ashownin Fig. '7, such that a ball dropping or rolling onto platform'56, isheld thereon ybetween the two spaced bars 70 against furtherY substantially lateral movement. Y Y v The modied form of ball lift shown in Fig..3 andV designated generally 99, is similar in construction to that asoaae described above, with the exceptionV of the reset mechanism. In this ball lift, endless ball engaging and lifting belt passes over a xed driving pulley 102 mounted adjacent the top portion of the ball lift frame 104 which is enclosed by a suitable housing 106. Belt 100 also passes over and drives pulley 108 mounted on shaft 110, the ends of which are supported in spaced bell crank levers 112 pivotally supported on studs 113 mounted in a pair of brackets 114, secured to the base of frame 104.

Upper pulley 102 preferably has formed integrally therewith a pulley 116 which is driven continuously by means of a belt 118 running on pulley 120 fixed to shaft 122 of motor 124. Connected to one arm of each of the bell crank levers 112 is one end of a tension spring 126.

The other end of each spring is fastened to a bracket 12S carried by frame 104. A plate or platform 130 is mounted on the top face of arm 131 of treadle lever 132, pivotally supported by stud 134 in bracket 136 attached to the base of frame 104. See Fig. 3. The end of arm 138 of treadle lever 132, due to the upward pressure of a coil spring 140 located beneath .and engaging the underside of arm 131, is held in latched engagement with a recess or step 141 attached to bell crank levers 112. In this manner, the ball engaging and lifting lap of belt 100 normdly is held away from stationary ball conveying and guiding track 144 upon which a ball is rolled upwardly and discharged by belt 100 onto return runway 172 in the same manner as that described above in connection with the ball lift shown in Figs. l and 2.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, in order to prevent a ball from rolling into and out of ball lift 99, there is provided adjacent each of the openings 148 through which a ball rolls, a pair of inclined guide plates 146.

The reset mechanism in the modified form of ball lift shown in Fig. 3, consists of an arm 150 pivotally mounted on a stud 152 supported in a bracket 154 secured to the outside of the front wall of housing 106. The free end of arm 150 extends through a slot 156 into housing 106 (Figs. 3, 6 and 8). Arm 150 is formed with an extension 158, to which is connected a vertical rod 160, the other end of which is connected to a lever 162 mounted on a horizontal shaft 164 supported by suitable bearing brackets 166 secured to the exterior of the front wall of housing 106. Also mounted on shaft 164 is a lever 168 connected by a link 170 of an arm of one of the bell crank levers 112.

The operation of ball lift 99, shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 8, is essentially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When a ball B rolls through one of the openings 148 into housing 1436 and onto platform 130, the weight of the ball depresses treadle lever 132 and causes an unlatching or disengagement of the end of portion 13S thereof with recess 141 in cross member 142. Due to the action of springs 126, bell crank levers 112 are swung in a clockwise direction which moves pulley 103 from full line position to dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, thus bringing into engagement the active ball lifting lap of belt 100 with ball B on platform 130. Due vto the resilient tension of springs 126, the mass of pulley 198 and the liexibility of belt 100, a ball is held by resilient pressure yagainst track 144 and firmly gripped by the active ball lifting lap of belt and is rolled thereby upwardly along track 144, and propelled by the belt outwardly through opening 107 onto ball return runway 172.

As mentioned above, since link 170 is pivotally attached to one of the bell crank levers 112, as the bell crank levers 112 and pulley 108 supported thereby swing forwardly or move in a clockwise direction, their movement also imparts a forward movement to link 170. This movement of link 170 through levers 168 and 162, rod 168 and lever 158, effects a downward movement of arm 150, such that the latter is located in the path of travel of ball B moving upwardly along ball guide track 144. As the ball is moved upwardly along track 144 by belt 100, it engages arm 150 Aand moves it upwardly from broken Iline to full line position shown in Fig'. 3. This movement of arm 150 through the connections above mentioned, causes bell crank leversy 112 and pulley 108 to swing rearwardly, or in the direction of an arrow A (see Fig. 3), and due to the action of coil spring 140 on treadle lever 132, eifects a resetting or relatching of the end of lever portion 138 with recess 141 of cross member '142, thereby readying the mechanism for operation upon the entry of the next ball onto platform 130.

In Figs. 4, 5, 7 and 9, a modified form of the invention is disclosed in which the ball lift is designated generally 199. This ball lift is provided with a vsuitable frame 202 enclosed in a housing 200. In the upper portion of frame 202 is mounted a motor 204 provided with a pulley 206 on which runs belt 208 driving a pulley 210 loosely mounted on shaft 212 supported in suitable bearings (not shown) secured to frame 202. Secured to, or preferably formed integrally with pulley 210 and also loosely mounted on shaft 212, is a pulley 214 on which runs an endless belt 216 continuously driven thereby. Belt 216 also runs over idler pulley 218 located in the bottom of ball lift 199. Pulley 210 is rotatably mounted on shaft 220, the ends of which are supported in spaced arms 222 pivotally .attached to lugs 224 secured to frame 202. Connected to each end of shaft 220 is one end of a tension spring 226, the ends of spring 226 being anchored to frame 202. Springs 226 are used for the purpose of giving the proper tension to endless conveyor belt 216.

Located slightly above the bottom of frame 202, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is a treadle arm or lever 230 which supports a ball platform 228. One end of lever 230 is provided with a step 232 normally held in engagement with a cross member 234 by means of a tension spring 236. Cross member 234 is secured at each end of frame 202 of the ball lift. The other end o f .treadle lever 230 is formed with a fork portion 238 (Fig. 7) secured to a horizontal transverse shaft 240 pivotally held at the lower free ends of two vertical ball guide rails 242 which form the ball guide track. The upper end of each of the ball guide rails 242 is pivotally attached by a stud 244 to spaced lugs 246 suitably attached to frame 202. The floating horizontal .shaft 240 is connected by a link 248 to one arm of bell crank lever 250, the other arm thereof being connected by a rod 252 to a i reset arm 254. Arm 254 is pivotally supported on a stud 256 mounted in a pair of brackets 258 secured kto the outer front wall of housing 200. Reset arm 254 projects through a slot 260 and between guide rails 242 into housing 200.

Bell crank lever 250 is pivotally supported on a stud 262 mounted in a suitable bracket 264 attached to frame 202. Housing 200 at each side adjacent the bottom there# of is formed with an opening 266 which allows a ball to move from either of the alleys with which ball lift 199 is used onto platform 228.

Within housing 200 and adjacent each opening 266 is located yieldable ball retainer and centering bar 268 similar in construction and operation to bars 70 described hereinabove in connection with the disclosure in Figs. l .and 2. The ends of bars 268 are supported for movement in vertical slots 279 (Fig. 5) formed in brackets 2724attached to the inner surface of the side walls of housing 200. Secured to each end of each bar 268 is one end of a suitable tension spring 274, the other ends of which are attached to frame 202. Springs 274 operate to maintain bars 268 located in the upper curved portions 27 6 of slots 27 (l.

In operation, as a ball rolls through an opening 266, it momentarily depresses the bar 26S adjacent the respective opening 266 and moves or drops onto platform 228 on treadle lever 230. Because of the weight of theball, treadle lever 230 is depressed. This causes a disengagement or unlatching of step 232 of treadlev lever 2370 from cross member 234. When step 232 is disengaged from cross member 234, spring 236 pulls treadle lever in a rearwardly direction or to the left,- as viewed in Fig. 4; from full line to dotted line position. Since the lower ends lof vertical ball rails or guides 242 are pivoted to shaft y240, the lower ends ofV ball guide rails 242 are moved in the direction of the arrow C from full line to dotted line position, thereby pressing ball B against continuously running belt 2id which eifects an upward rolling of ball B between belt 215 and ball guide rails 242 until the ball reaches the upper ends of the latter where it is discharged by the belt and propelled thereby through opening 203 ontofreturn runway 280.

Substantially simultaneously with the unlatching of arm 230 from cross member 234, and due to the action of spring 236 and the rocking of bell crank lever 250, reset arm 254, which is connected to an arm of bell crank lever .250 by link 252, is swung downwardly in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 4) from full line to dotted line position into the path of travel of the upwardly moving ball. As the ball engages reset lever 254, the

latter is swung upwardly into the full line position shown in Fig'. 4 and because of the action of spring 236, step 232 is re-engaged with cross member 23e, and the ball lift is ready for lifting the next ball moving through one of the openings 266 onto platform 228.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular embodiments selected to illustrate the invention are but a few of the possible concrete forms which my invention may assume. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structures shown and described.

What I claim is:

l'. In a bowling ball lift for delivering bowling ballsY from the pit of a bowling alley to a ball return runway,

the combination of a ball lift track, an endless conveyor means whereby the input end portion of one of said lift -f track and'said conveyor assembly can be moved toward and away from the other such input end portion, the opposite end portions of said lift track and said conveyor assembly being fixed on said frame structure against such movement, and such opposite end of said conveyor assembly being so disposed that the normal position of said ball klifting lap as it approaches the output end of the lift track is spaced from Vthe lift track by a distance less than the diameter of a bowling ball to be handled by the litt, biasing means operatively associated with said one input end portionY to urge the same toward the other of such input end portions, latch means operatively associated with said one input end portion to retain the same in a position spaced fromV the other of such input end portions by a distance greater than the diameter of such bowling ball, ball receiving means disposed between said input end portions of the lift track and conveyor assem bly, means operable in response to arrival of a ball on said receiving means for actuating said latch means to allow said biasingmea'ns to effect relative movement of 'i disposed for actuation by a ball as the ball approaches the output end of said lift track and linkage means interconnecting said movable member andrsaid one input end portion and operative toreturn the latter to latched positionl upon actuationof said movable member by a ball, said'movable member and linkage means being separate from said conveyor assembly.

2.".In `a bowling ballV lift for delivering bowling balls4 from thepit of a bowling' alley to a ball return runway,

fixed against movement toward and away from the liftV track, a second pulley disposed adjacent the input end of said lift track, mounting means mounting said second pulley for rotation and for movement toward and away from said lift track, and a conveyor belt extending about said pulleys to present a ball lifting lap toward said lift track; biasing means operatively associated with said second pulley to bias the same toward said lift track; latch means operatively associated with said mounting means to retain said second pulley in a position such that the portion of said conveyor belt adjacent the input end of said lift track is spaced from the lift track by a distance greater than the diameter of a bowling ball to be han-V dled; ball receiving means disposed between said conveyor belt and said lift track adjacent the input end of the lift track; means operable in response to arrival of a ball on said ball receiving means for actuating said latch means to allow said biasing means to move said second pulley toward said lift track and thus bring the conveyorbelt into engagement with a ball to be lifted; means for driving one of said pulleys to drive said conveyor belt in a direction to travel the ball so engaged along said lift track, and reset means for returning said second pulley to its latched position in response to lifting of a ball, said resetting means comprising a movable member disposed for actuation by a ball as the ball approaches the output end of said lift track and linkage means interconnecting said movable member and said second pulley and operative to return the latter to latched position upon actuation of said movable member by a ball, said movable member and linkage means being separate from said conveyor assembly.

3. A bowling ball lift constructed in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said ball receiving means comprises a platform disposed to receive balls delivered from either of two sides thereof, and two ball retaining members disposed each at a different one of said sides of the platform, said members being mounted for movement toward and away from the plane of said platform and biased away from said plane.

4. In a bowling ball lift for delivering bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley to a ball returnrunway, the combination of a xed frame structure; a lift track mounted on said frame structure; a conveyor assembly comprising a first pulley journalled on said frame means at a point beyond the output end of said lift track and fixed against movement toward or away from the lift track, a bell crank lever pivoted to said frame structure adjacent the input end of said lift track, a second pulley journalled on said bell crank lever, and a conveyor belt extending about said pulleys to present a ball lifting lap toward said lift track; biasing means connected to said bell crank lever and operable to urge the same in a direction moving said second pulley toward said lift track; latch means operatively associated with said bell crank lever to retain the same in a position in which the input end portions of said ball lifting lap and said lift track are spaced apart by a distance greater than the diameter of a bowling ball to be handled by the lift; ball receiving means disposed between the input end portions of Vsaid ball lifting lap and lift track; means responsive to arrival or a ball on said ball receiving means for releasing said latch means to allow said biasing means to move said econd pulley toward said lift track and thereby cause the ball to be engaged between said conveyor belt and said lift track; means for driving one of said pulleys to drive said conveyor belt in a direction to advance the ball toward the output end of said lift track, and reset- Y means comprising a movable member disposed for aca tuation by a ball as the ball approaches the output end of said lift track and linkage means interconnecting said movable member and said bell crank lever and operative to return the latter to latched position upon actuation of said movable member by a ball, said movable member and linkage means being separate from said conveyor assembly.

5. In a bowling ball lift for delivering bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley to a ball return runway, the combination of a iixed frame structure, an endless conveyor assembly mounted on said frame structure and presenting a ball lifting conveyor lap, a ball lift track disposed for cooperation with such ball lifting lap, said lift track being pivoted at its output end to said frame structure and having its input end portion movable toward and away from said conveyor assembly, biasing means operatively associated with the input end portion of said lift track to urge the same toward said conveyor assembly, latch means operatively associated with said lift track to retain the same in a position wherein the input end portion thereof is spaced from the ball lifting lap presented by said conveyor assembly by a distance greater than the diameter of a bowling ball to be handled by the lift, ball receiving means disposed between the input end portions of said lift track and said conveyor assembly, means responsive to arrival of a ball on said ball receiving means for releasing said latch means to allow said biasing means to move the input end portion of said lift track toward said conveyor assembly to engage the ball between said ball lifting lap and said lift track, means for driving said conveyor assembly in a direction to advance a ball along said lift track, and resetting means for returning the input end portion of said lift track to its latched position in response to lifting of a ball, said resetting means comprising a movable member disposed for actuation by a ball as the ball approaches the output end of said lift track and linkage means 1nterconnecting said movable member and said lift track and operative to return the input end of the lift track to latched position upon actuation of said movable member by a ball, said movable member and linkage means being separate from said conveyor assembly.

6. A bowling ball lift constructed in accordance with claim 5 and wherein said ball receiving means comprises a platform disposed to receive balls delivered from either of two sides thereof, and two ball retaining members disposed each at a different one of said sides of the platform, said members being mounted for movement toward and away from the plane of said platform and biased away from said plane.

7. A bowling ball lift constructed in accordance with claim l and wherein said ball receiving means comprises a supporting member disposed to receive balls delivered from either side of the space between the input end portions of said lift track and conveyor assembly and presenting a ball supporting face, two ball retaining members disposed each at a dii-ferent one of said sides so as to lie in the path of travel of balls to be received by said supporting member, and means mounting said ball retaining members for movement toward and away from said ball supporting face and including guideways for said ball retaining members each having a portion diverging from said ball supporting face, said ball retaining members being biased away from said ball supporting face.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,242,069 Heiniger May 13, 1941 2,602,554 Grith July 8, 1952 2,626,803 Congelli Ian. 27, 1953 2,628,703 Fechheimer Feb. 17, 1953 

